19.12.06

Liverpool v Arsenal - Postponed

By James CarrollDate: 19/12/2006

Liverpool's League Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal was called off this evening after heavy fog descended on Anfield. Referee Martin Atkinson made the decision to postpone the game after a pitch inspection.

The call was made at 6:45pm after officials had failed to come to a decision in an earlier inspection.

Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger were left unhappy by the decision and both felt that the conditions weren't bad enough to force the game to be called off.

"In the opinions of myself and Arsene, it was possible to play this game," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"We must respect the referee's decision but we don't agree with it. In these conditions we could have played. The referee said to us that he had difficulty seeing both corners of the pitch and that it could be difficult for his assistants.

"A lot of people were looking forward to this game and it's really difficult to explain why it was called off. We have a problem now because if we draw against Arsenal in the FA Cup then when are we going to play this game? Maybe we can play for both Cups in one game."

Wenger added: "I'm disappointed because we wanted to play and so did Liverpool. Unfortunately we weren't able to influence the decision of the referee, even though we tried."

No date has been scheduled for the rearranged fixture but early indications suggest that it could be played in the week commencing 8th January, after the FA Cup tie between the two teams.

Liverpool Football Club have told supporters to keep hold of their unused tickets as they will be valid for the rearranged game while those who entered the stadium must contact the ticket office for a replacement ticket.